Category: Formula 1

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Formula 1 McLaren

Fernando Alonso to miss Australian Grand Prix

Fernando Alonso

McLaren has confirmed Fernando Alonso will miss the Australian Grand Prix as he continues to recover from his testing accident in Barcelona last month.

According to a team statement (available in full after the break) Alonso’s doctors say, “that they see no evidence whatsoever of any injury; and that they therefore describe him as entirely healthy from neurological and cardiac perspectives alike.”

However, as a precautionary measure. “Fernando’s doctors have recommended to him that … for the time being he should seek to limit as far as is possible any environmental risk factors that could potentially result in his sustaining another concussion so soon after his previous one.

“In order to limit those environmental risk factors, specifically, his doctors have advised that he should not compete in the imminent Australian Grand Prix.”

Alonso has recommenced full physical training and is expected to be declared fit to race in time for the Malaysian Grand Prix (27–29 March). His car will be driven by reserve driver Kevin Magnussen in Melbourne.

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Red Bull Racing RB11 livery revealed

Red Bull Racing RB11

When Red Bull first revealed their RB11 in its eye catching camouflage testing livery they told us the final look for 2015 would be just as awesome. Yeah, not really chaps, you’ve just moved a few bits around from the 2014 car, taken some stripes away and made the purple a bit brighter.

Anyway, here’s what the 2015 Red Bull Racing F1 car will look like. Let’s hope Daniel Ricciardo can get across the line first a few more times this year too.

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Formula 1

F1 winter testing: Barcelona II

Nico Rosberg, Mercedes AMG W06

Formula 1 pre-season testing is all done and the post-rationalising from the teams telling us what a great job they were able to do is well underway. As the saying goes, when the flag drops the bullshit stops and we’ve got less than two weeks until the Australian Grand Prix.

After the break is a list of times for the final four days of testing in Barcelona. Mercedes AMG and Williams shared the spoils with their drivers setting the fastest times across the week.

Nico Rosberg claims the title of fastest man in pre-season with his 1:22.792 lap on day two, a full 1.2 seconds faster than his nearest challenger on the day.

It’s no surprise, then, that reigning constructors’ champions Mercedes AMG look to be the team to beat once again this season.

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Formula 1 McLaren

Fernando Alonso to sit out final Barcelona test

Fernando Alonso

Fernando Alonso has been released from hospital following his testing accident on Sunday and will continue his recovery at his home in Spain.

McLaren has confirmed Alonso will be absent from the final four days of pre-season testing, which start in Barcelona later today. Reserve driver Kevin Magnussen will step into Alonso’s role.

An earlier statement, which can be read in full after the break, said Alonso’s accident was “caused by the unpredictably gusty winds at that part of the circuit [Turn 3] at that time”.

The statement continues: “We can categorically state that there is no evidence that indicates that Fernando’s car suffered mechanical failure of any kind. We can also confirm that absolutely no loss of aerodynamic pressure was recorded, which fact indicates that the car did not suffer any aerodynamic loss, despite the fact that it was subjected to a significant level of g-force. Finally, we can also disclose that no electrical discharge or irregularity of any kind occurred in the car’s ERS system, either before, during or after the incident.”

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Formula 1 McLaren

Fernando Alonso airlifted to hospital

Fernando Alonso

Fernando Alonso crashed his McLaren-Honda MP4-30 during Formula 1 testing in Barcelona overnight. He was taken to the on-course medical centre and where he conscious and speaking to doctors.

He was airlifted to hospital for precautionary scans and despite suffering no serious injury he remained in care overnight.

“Fernando’s accident was just one of those things that happens in testing,” said Eric Boullier, McLaren Racing director. “Fortunately, he’s fine, but was concussed during the accident, which therefore required an overnight stay in hospital as a precaution. That’s normal practice after a concussion.

“Inevitably, some media reports have sought to exaggerate the severity of the incident—it was just a normal testing accident.”

Statements from McLaren can be read below.

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Formula 1

F1 winter testing: Barcelona I days 2–4

Romain Grosjean, Lotus E23, Barcelona

Lotus can leave the first Barcelona test with bragging rights after Romain Grosjean (1:24.067) set the fastest time of the week overnight. He comfortably outpaced Nico Rosberg (1:24.321) and Daniil Kvyat (1:24.941).

On Saturday Lotus was again the team on top, this time in the hands of Pastor Maldonado (1:24.348), who was also quickest on day 1 in Barcelona. Young punk Max Verstappen (1:24.739) showed the Toro Rosso day care centre that he’s got genuine pace, with a gap over one second back to Lewis Hamilton (1:26.076).

Meanwhile, Daniel Ricciardo (1:24.574) set the best lap on Friday, narrowly edging out the Ferrari of Kimi Raikkonen (1:24.584). A touch further back was Felipe Massa (1:24.672).

A full list of times and total laps covered by each driver from the previous three days of testing can be seen below.

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Formula 1

F1 winter testing: Barcelona I day 1

Pastor Maldonado, Lotus E23, Barcelona

Pastor Maldonado has topped the time sheets (1:25.011) on the opening day of testing in Barcelona overnight.

The Lotus driver made good use of his new Mercedes power unit and some fresh soft tyres to set his best lap late in what was quite an exciting day, as far as pre-season testing goes.

Kimi Raikkonen (1:25.167) again kept Ferrari near the pointy end, while Daniel Ricciardo was the third fastest (1:25.547). The top three had a full second clear back to the remaining pack.

“The car felt good today, we got a bit of running done on a few different [tyre] compounds, which was interesting and we got a lot of data, which is always good,” said Daniel. “I think we’re chipping away. We’re definitely making progress but it takes time. However, I think come Melbourne we’ll be there.”

The excitement came from a minor coming together with Felipe Nasr (Sauber) and Susie Wolff (Williams). In the morning session Nasr had shown good pace, heading the field, but that all came undone after he ran into the back of Wolff’s car. The damage was minor and both drivers were able to get back on track later in the day.

Lewis Hamilton set the slowest time of the day and ended his running early due to illness. The world champion completed only 11 laps and his departure meant that reserve driver Pascal Wehrlein was quickly recalled from his loan spell with Force India. Wehrlein was able to complete 48 laps in the W06, after putting in 32 laps for Force India earlier in the day.

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Ferrari Formula 1

Ferrari Concept F1

Ferrari Concept F1

This very cool looking creation is a concept Formula 1 car produced by Ferrari’s in-house design team. They did it for no other reason than to make an F1 car that looks good. So, what do you reckon, have they succeeded?

Let us know what you think below and Ferrari would like to hear from you too.

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Formula 1

F1 TV numbers slide, revenue remains strong

2014 Brazilian Grand Prix

Reactions to the recent news that Australian-based Formula 1 fans can now only see a full season of live races on pay television have been mixed. Those critical of that decision won’t be at all surprised to learn that global television audiences for F1 are in decline. However, what may surprise is that TV revenue is up.

In 2008 the global television audience was measured at 600 million, since then it has dropped to around 70% of that figure or down to 425 million viewers. The decline has been steady around the globe with the United States registering a minor 10% increase last year.

The sport’s administrators can point to the increased licensing fees pay TV networks are willing to pay; there was US$797.5 million in the F1 kitty last year, of which 63% is divided among the teams in prize money distrubution.

Formula 1 has been notoriously slow to embrace new technology and alternate media streams. Its apparent reliance on television rights as its main source of revenue supports that claim. At some stage, though, F1 will have to increase its viewing numbers; those pay TV networks will want a return on their investment. If that’s not forthcoming then the whole house of cards could come falling down.

You sense an increase in viewing numbers is unlikely to happen while Bernie is in charge, who syas things are still “working all right. We are still getting very good TV coverage. It just means that we are getting more coverage from the pay people now.”

Germany, Italy and Spain have also followed the British lead of split television deals. Which leaves Bernie to say everything is going well thanks to increased revenue, but for how much longer?

[Source: Wall Street Journal]

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Formula 1 News

OFFICIAL: Formula 1 on Foxtel from 2015

2014 Australian Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton’s title defence will start in Australia in mid-March and Australian viewers will be able to see it all live in high definition on Fox Sports.

In news announced today Fox Sports has signed a five-year agreement which will see it broadcast live every practice session, every qualifying session and every race, starting with the Australian Grand Prix on 12 March.

Understandably the top brass at Fox Sports are very pleased with themselves with and have confirmed Australia will take on the Sky Sports feed.

“We have reached an extraordinary affiliate agreement with Sky to deliver through Fox Sports the same incredible Formula 1 coverage which is provided by Sky Sports in the UK,” confirmed Patrick Delany, Fox Sports CEO.

Meanwhile, Delany’s boss, Foxtel CEO, Richard Freudenstein, has gone into overdrive promoting his new product.

“Not only will fans see all the races live but we will add unrivalled behind the scenes experiences and the most expert commentary available,” Freudenstein said. “Fans of motor racing will be thrilled with what they can see if they subscribe to Foxtel’s sports package.”

That means Formula 1 will be included in the regular sports package which is a $25 per month add on over the compulsory $25 basic package. A high definition Foxtel receiver is a further $10 per month, bringing the total outlay to $60 per month.

Viewers unable or unwilling to sign up to pay television can still watch F1 on free-to-air on the Ten Network. Similar to the BBC/Sky deal in the UK, Ten will broadcast 10 of the races live (simulcast with Fox Sports) with delayed highlights packages for the remaining races.

You can see a calendar below listing the races the Ten Network will show live.

[Source: Fox Sports | Thanks to Tom for the tip]

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Formula 1 News

Formula 1 to Foxtel in 2016?

Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari SF15-T

Australian Formula 1 fans could soon be switching to pay television if they want to follow a full season of live coverage. According to media reports Foxtel and Channel 10 will be mirroring the UK television deal which sees pay TV network Sky Sports covering the full season, while the BBC picks up the scraps on free-to-air.

There is a small chance that such a deal could be in place for the forthcoming 2015 season, which starts with the Australian Grand Prix in mid-March. However, a more likely scenario would see the new regime commence in 2016.

It’s expected half of the F1 races each year would be shown live on Channel 10 with the remaining events shown in a delayed highlights package. A similar deal has just started this year with V8 Supercars moving to a split rights agreement with Foxtel and Channel 10.

Foxtel would cover the entire season in full and would presumably take on the Sky Sports feed, including high-definition broadcasts for all practice sessions, qualifying and races. Sky Sports also has more in-depth analysis than Channel 10 does.

In terms of pure sporting coverage it’s reasonable to expect Foxtel would do a far superior job than Channel 10 or previous rights holders Channel 9 ever have. At the time of writing it costs $50 per month to get Foxtel with the relevant sports channels, plus an extra $10 per month for high-definition.

Clearly a situation where fans feel forced into getting pay TV will cause a lot of angst. Will it cause any more angst than Channel 10’s current inferior coverage? That’s a question for each individual to answer.

It’s being reported that the Fox/10 deal is currently with Formula One Management awaiting sign-off.

[Source: Speedcafe]

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Formula 1

F1 winter testing: Jerez day 4

Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari SF15-T, Jerez

Kimi Raikkonen ensured Ferrari ended its pre-season testing at Jerez in the headlines by setting the fastest time of the day (1:20.841).

“Over the winter, we have made a good step forward and this car is definitely an improvement over the 2014 one,” Raikkonen said at day’s end. “It’s the whole package that has progressed, but there is still a lot of work to do.”

Second quickest was Felipe Nasr (1:22.019) in the Ferrari-powered Sauber C34. Defending champions Mercedes found themselves with the third best time of the day, thanks to world champion Lewis Hamilton (1:22.172), who completed 117 laps, more than any other driver.

Max Verstappen piloted his Toro Rosso to the fourth best lap (1:22.553), more than half a second ahead of Felipe Massa (1:23.116) in fifth.

Pocketing a helpful 53 laps for Lotus with its switch to Mercedes power was Romain Grosjean (1:23.802 ) who recorded the sixth fastest lap. Daniil Kvyat (1:23.975) managed to keep the front wing of the RB11 in one piece but was well off the leading pace, going seventh fastest.

In a consistent last place on the lap charts was the McLaren-Honda. Jenson Button (1:27.660) was at the wheel and did at least take the MP4-30 below the 1:30 barrier for the first time this week.

Pre-season testing will resume in two weeks time at Barcelona (19–22 February) and will conclude with a second session in Barcelona (26 February–1 March).

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